Instructions
A fable is a short story, typically with animals as characters, that teaches a lesson or a moral. Before you write your story, it's important to plan it out. Use this worksheet to brainstorm and organize your ideas for your very own fable.
Step 1: Choose Your Moral
The moral is the most important part of a fable. It's the lesson your story will teach. You can use a classic moral or create your own.
Some examples include:
- Slow and steady wins the race.
- Look before you leap.
- Honesty is the best policy.
- Don't judge a book by its cover.
What is the moral of YOUR fable?
Step 2: Create Your Characters
Fables often use animal characters who act like people. Think about what personality traits would help teach your moral. You will need at least two characters who are different from each other.
Character 1 (The Protagonist)
Animal:
Personality Trait (e.g., wise, humble, hardworking):
Character 2 (The Antagonist or Foil)
Animal:
Personality Trait (e.g., foolish, boastful, lazy):
Step 3: Decide on the Setting
Where and when does your story take place? The setting is usually simple in a fable.
Setting (e.g., a sunny meadow, a deep forest, a riverbank on a cold day):
Step 4: Outline the Plot
Plan the main events of your story. How will your characters interact to demonstrate the moral?
Beginning: Introduce the characters and the setting. What are they doing?
Middle: What is the main problem or conflict? How do the characters' different personalities create this problem?
End: How is the problem solved? Which character learns the lesson, and how? The story should end by stating the moral.
Answer Key (Example)
Step 1: Choose Your Moral
What is the moral of YOUR fable?
Step 2: Create Your Characters
Character 1 (The Protagonist)
Animal:
Personality Trait (e.g., wise, humble, hardworking):
Character 2 (The Antagonist or Foil)
Animal:
Personality Trait (e.g., foolish, boastful, lazy):
Step 3: Decide on the Setting
Setting (e.g., a sunny meadow, a deep forest, a riverbank on a cold day):
Step 4: Outline the Plot
Beginning: Introduce the characters and the setting. What are they doing?
Middle: What is the main problem or conflict? How do the characters' different personalities create this problem?
End: How is the problem solved? Which character learns the lesson, and how? The story should end by stating the moral.